Multiple-radius bending apparatus



Jan. 14, 1958 H. A. HART I 2,819,752

MULTIPLE-RADIUS BENDING APPARATUS Filed July 13, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ju i 3* INVENTOR.

HENRY A. HART ATTHORNEYS Jan. 14,1958 H. A. HART MULTIPLE- RADIUS BENDING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1956 INVENTORA A'r-rozneYs Jan. 14, 1958 H. A. HART MULTIPLE-RADIUS BENDING APPARATUS s She ets-Sheet 3 Filed July 15; 1956 INVENTOR. HEN RY A. HART ATTORNEYS United States Fate-ht .MULTIPLE-RADIUS BENDING APPARATUS Henry A. Hart, Fireco, W. Va.

Application July 13, 1956, Serial No. 597,771

Claims. (Cl. 153-40) This invention relates generally to bending apparatus and a primary object of invention is to provide multipleradius bending apparatus for rods, tubes and the like for selectively bending different predetermined radii without dismantling or altering the apparatus.

.During the installation of reinforcing rod, electrical conduit, plumbing lines and the like, it is often necessary to bend such members on location. Most apparatus presently used necessitates the changing of the bending dies for the difierent radii required, this procedure being time consuming and generally unsatisfactory.

Another important object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide multiple-radius bending apparatus including a vertically rotatable bending-sector assembly including a plurality of arcuately conformed bending dies disposed in aligned concentric radially extending relationship about the axis of rotation of the bending-sector assembly, the outer periphery of said dies defining different radii of curvature being attainable on the apparatus, the dies being reciprocably mounted with respect to each other to be olf-set to conform to varying diameters of members to be bent, and for exposing the outer periphery .ofa selected bending die for forming a predetermined curvature therewith, means for supporting and clamping a member to be bent below the outer periphery of the bending die tobe used, and power means for rotating the bending-sector assembly about its axis of rotation and drawing a member to be bent about the outer periphery ofa selected die.

Other "objects of invention in conformance with that set forth reside in the specific details of the cooperating structure ofthe novel apparatus.

And yet another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide novel multiple-radius bending apparatus which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used and maintained, and highly satisfactory and acceptable for the purpose intended.

These-together with-other objectsand advantages which will subsequently become apparent reside'in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like nu merals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the novel multiple-radius bending apparatus;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 "is an enlarged fragmentary sectional'viewtaken substantially on line 33 of Figure 1, showing in phantom lines the relative position of the bending-sector ":IS sembly during a bending operation, portions being broken away andomitted for clarity;

-Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

"Figure 5 is a sectional 'view taken substantially on line 5--"5'of Figure '3, showing the manner'in which a member to be bent may be disposed relative to the bending dies "ice of the apparatus, showing in phantom lines the manner in which bending dies may be laterally off-set for conforming with the diameter of various members to be bent;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of Figure 5 and Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view looking substantially .fromline 8--8 of Figure 5, showing a gauge for indicating the degree of bend formed by the apparatus when the bending-sector assembly is rotated.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the novel multipleradius bending apparatus is indicated generally at 1-0 and includes a suitable .horizontally disposed base member 12 having mounted thereon a vertically extending bendingsector assembly indicated generally "at 14, and a vertically adjustable support indicated generally at 16 in spaced .rearwardly disposed relationship relative to the bendingsector assembly.

The base mem'berlZ has extending vertically from opposite side edge portions adjacent the forwardend .18 thereof suitably secured support members 20 and 22 which terminate .at their upper ends in oppositely disposed aligned journal sleeve portions 24 and 26, respectively, which have journaled therein a horizontally disposed support shaftf28 which may be defined as extending transversely in overlying relationship relative to the upper surface of the base member 12, said s'haft.28.constituting the axis of rotation of the bending-sector assembly astsubsequently will become apparent.

Suitably keyed on the support shaft 28 adjacent the support member '22 is a sector shaped housing :member 30, seeFigure 5 for example, whichrextends radiallyfrom the support shaf'tZ'S said housingmember being comprised of apair of suitably secured separate sections Bland 34 having extending there'between a divider plate 36, and the section 34 includes sector-shaped recess portions 33 and 40 defined by an intermediate integral wall portion 42. 'The recess portion 40 has reciprocably disposed therein aplurality of aligned concentrically disposed arcuate bending dies 44 which extend radially from thelongitudinal axis ofthe support shaft '28, 'the outer periphcries "of said bending dies 44 defining different .radii of curvature which may be selectively incorporated for defining a predetermined radius in an elongated rod or tube 46 to be'formed 'by the apparatus. The lowermost bending die 48 may have the 'rod or tube '46 disposed therebeneath, 'see Figure 5, wherein said rod 'ortu'be 46 will be in abutment with 'a peripheral outer edge :portion 49 or section 34 of the housing member. Each of the bending dies-44 are laterally 'displ'aceablewit'h respect toeachother being extendable into the recess portion '40. The "bendingdies 44 have extending laterallytherefrom a plurality of spaced integral support shafts 50 -wl1ic'h extend through suitable aperture portions in I the wall -42-of section '84 and aligned zaperture'rportions in the plate 556. I heend portions of the shafts "50:extend beyond the plate 35 landhuue extending .transuensely :therethnough suitable ifiastener ments such as .cottenpizns 52, and icircumposejd about wan intermediatepontionof .the shafts SO-aresuitableeompression spring elements 54 which are :disposed within the recess portion 38 of section 34 being in engagement "with one side of the spacer wall36, the other end ofsaidcompression spring elements being inengagement witha transverse abutment-pin'element56 extending through the support shafts 50. Compression spring elements '54 willurge the bending dies 44 into aligned relationship as clearly seen in Figure 5.

The support shaft 28 has suitably keyed thereon in spaced relationship from the bending dies 44 Va second sector-shaped housing member 58, see Figure includes a first section 60 having a sector shaped recess portion 62 covered by a suitably secured section 64, said section 64 having a recess portion 66 opening toward the side portion 63 of the bending dies 44 and having'disposed therein a clamping head 76 extendable toward the side 68 of the bending dies wherein opposite sides of the member 46 to be bent will be disposed between the clamping head 70 and the bending dies which are engaged by said member 46. The clamping head 70 has extending laterally therefrom through suitable aperture portions in the section 64 support shafts 72 which are telescopically received in tubular support sleeves 74 in the recess portion 62 of section 60. One of the support sleeves 76, for example as seen in Figure 5, comprises a hydraulic cylinder in communication with a suitable integral port portion 78 in housing member 58, said port portion 78 being connected to a suitable flexible hydraulic conduit 80, see Figure 2, which communicates with a suitable source of hydraulic pressure which may be actuated for extending the clamping head 70 toward the bending dies 44. The

clamping head 70 and bending dies 44 will accommodate therebetween rods or tube members varying diameters up to the limits of the maximum spacing to be obtained between the head and bending dies.

The bending-sector assembly includes integral adjustable support means indicated generally at 82, see Figure l, disposed in parallel alignment with the radial edge 84 of the bending-sector assembly, see Figure 2, said support means comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinder elements 86 and 88, see Figure 4, the lower ends of which being in communication with suitable flexible hydraulic conduits 90 for the purpose of vertical adjustment of the member 46 to be bent as subsequently will become apparent. The hydraulic cylinder elements 86 and 88 have telescopically received therein suitably conformed leg members 92 and 94, respectively, of an inverted U-shaped adjustable carriage member which includes a transverse integral bight portion 96. The leg members 92 and 94 constitute pistons which will be afiected by hydraulic pressure imposed in the cylinder elements 86 and 88, respectively, and the bight portion 96 has extending therefrom in substantially parallel relationship to the leg members 92 and 94 support arms 98 and 100 which have extending therebetween in suitably secured relationship a transverse support rod 102 which may have a square cross section if desired, said rod 102 having reciprocably supported thereon suitable clamp assembly 104 which will clampingly engage a forward end portion of the member 46 to be bent about the outer periphery of a selected bending die. The support rod 102 may have a pointed end portion 106, seeFigure 4, which is alignable with suitable indicia of measurement 108 disposed in longitudinal relationship on the outer periphery of the hydraulic cylinder element 88 for indicating the difierent radii of bending to be formed by the apparatus. The clamp assembly 104 may incorporate suitable replaceable dies for accommodating difiierent diameters of rod members to be bent by the apparatus.

Without referring to the support assembly 16, the member 46 will have a forward end portion thereof suitably secured in the clamp assembly 104, the upper edge of the member 46 to be bent will be disposed below the outer periphery of a predetermined bending die means of the adjustable support 82, and the clamping head 104 will be extended toward the member 46 disposing said member 46 beneath the predetermined bending die, the bending dies extending radially from the predetermined bending die will accordingly be laterally displaced relative to those bending dies above the member to be bent, and the member to be bent will be clampingly engaged between the clamping head 70 and the bending dies 44 with which it contacts. Subsequent rotation of the bending-sector assembly about its axis of rotation defined by the longitudinal axis of the support shaft 28 will result in bending the member 46 about the outer periphery of the selected bending die as seen in Figure 3.

Power means are provided for rotating the bendingsector assembly, said power means being indicated as a reversible electric motor 110 suitably secured on an under surface portion of the support base 12, said electric motor having its drive shaft connected to a suitable gear reduction case 112, see Figure 2, having a driving pinion gear 114 intermeshed with a driven bevel gear 116 journaled on a transverse support shaft 118 extending through suitable journal elements 120 disposed in suitably secured transverse aligned relationship on the upper surface of the base member 12, see Figure l. The shaft 118 has suitably secured on its opposite ends bevel gear elements 122 and 124 which are in driving engagement with cooperating bevel gear elements 126 and 128, respectively, integral with longitudinally extending support shafts 130, and 132 carried in aligned journal block elements 134 suitably secured in spaced relationship adjacent opposite edges of the support base 12, said journal blocks 134 being in substantial alignment with peripheral edge portions of the housing members and 58. Integral with an intermediate portion of the shafts 130 and 132 are driving worm gears 136, see Figures 2 and 3, which are in driving engagement with suitably formed gear sectors 138 formed in the outer edges of the housing members 30 and 58. The edge portion 84 of the bending-sector assembly will normally be disposed in vertically extending relationship as clearly seen in Figure 2, and the member 46 to be bent will be positioned as previously described whereafter through the medium of the power means 110 the bending-sector assembly 14 will be rotated about its axis of rotation and member 46 will accordingly be formed with a desired radius therein.

The support 16 comprises a pair of similar vertical support members 140 and 142 which are disposed on opposite side edges of the support base member 12, said sup port members 140 and 142 incorporating therein aligned vertically extending slot portions 144 reciprocably supporting therein block elements 146 which have extending transversely therebetween a transverse support shaft 148.

The shaft 148 has reciprocably disposed thereon a suitable clamp assembly indicated generally at 150 for engagement with an intermediate portion of the member 46 to be bent. The block elements 146 have pivotally depending therefrom suitable latch elements 152 engageable with a cooperating serrated segment 154 formed on one side of the slot 144 of the support members 140 and 142. Suitable indicia 156 may be inscribed on the side of the support member 140, for example, for indicating the radius of curvature to be bent with the apparatus, said indicia conforming to that formed on the hydraulic cylinder element 88 previously described.

For the purposes of adjusting the support members 140 and 142 along'the longitudinal axis of the base member 12, the support members 140 and 142 may have journaled thereon spaced depending suitably journaled pinion gear elements 158 and 160 which are intermeshed with a longitudinally extending suitably secured gear rack 16% and secured on the upper surface of the base member 12. For the purposes of longitudinally adjusting the support members 140 and 142 with respect to the support base 12 a gear element 164 may be journaled on the support members 140 and 142, if desired, in engagement with one of the pinions, 160 for example as seen in Figure 2, said gear element having extending laterally therefrom in offset relationship relative to its support shaft a suitable handle 166. Rotation of the handle 166 will accordingly cause longitudinal adjustment of the support members 140 and 142.

Extending radially from an outer side portion of the housing members 30 and 58 is an elongated transversely apertured support strap 168 and 170, respectively, which has pivotally mounted thereon by means of a suitable transverse pivot pin element the forward end :of an elongated connecting rod .172, the other end of which being pivotally connected at 174 .to an .end portion of the support shaft 148 and the vertical support l6. Rotation of the bending-sector assembly will result in the vertical support 16 moving toward said bending-sector assembly while a predetermined bend is being formed in a member 476.

As most clearly seen in Figure 8, an angular indicating gauge is indicated generally at 176, said gauge incorporating arcuately disposed indicia .178 and divided into degrees, and a fixed pointer 180 secured in radially extending relationship from the end of the shaft 28, the arcuately disposed indicia 178 being inscribed on the outer edge of the journal sleeve portion 24, for example. Rotation of the shaft 28 results in the indicator indicating the degree of angular bend formed by the apparatus, the apparatus being capable of forming bends up to 90 as is readily apparent.

The various power means i. e. electric and hydraulic, may be controlled by suitable control switches and valves which are correlated to provide a substantially automatic bending operation when the apparatus is being used.

From the foregoing the manner in which the apparatus is used is believed to be obvious, and further description is believed to be unnecessary.

Various positional directional terms such as forward, rear etc., are utilized herein and have only a relative connotation to aid in describing the device and it is not intended to require any particular orientation with respect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Multiple-radius bending apparatus for elongated rodlike members comprising a base member, a support frame extending vertically from said base member and including a support shaft extending transversely in overlying relationship over said base member, a bending-sector assembly journaled in radially extending relationship from said support shaft, said bending-sector assembly comprising a plurality of aligned arcuate segmental bending dies extending radially in concentric relationship from said support shaft, the outer peripheries of said bending dies defining the radius of curvature of plural bends to be formed, mounting means for the bending dies permitting lateral relative offset displacement between the dies for exposing the outer periphery of a predetermined bending die, a vertically adjustable support on one side of the bendingsector assembly including reciprocable clamp means for elevating a member to be bent adjacent the outer periphery of a selected bending die, vise means including a clamping head member reciprocably supported on the bendingsector assembly in laterally spaced relationship from a side portion of the bending dies for urging a member to be bent beneath the outer periphery of the selected die and laterally displacing dies extending radially beyond the selected die, a second vertically adjustable support including clamp means for engagment with an intermediate portion of the member to be bent, said second vertically adjustable support being reciprocably disposed on the base member for movement toward the bending-sector assembly when the same is rotated, and power means engaged with said bending-sector assembly for rotating the same about the support shaft and bending the member about the outer periphery of a selected bending die.

2. Multiple-radius bending apparatus for elongated rodlike members comprising a base member, a support frame extending vertically from said base member and including a support shaft extending transversely in overlying relationship over said base member, a bending-sector assent bly journaled in radially extending relationship from said support shaft, said bending-sector assembly compris'inga plurality of aligned arcuate segmental bending .dies extending radially in concentric relationship from said support shaft, the outer peripheries of said bending dies defining the radius of curvature ofpluralbends tobeformed, mounting means for the bending dies gperm'itting lateral relative offset displacement between the dies for exposing the outer periphery of a predetermined "bending die, a vertically adjustable support on one side of -the bendingsector assembly including reciprocable clamp means for elevating a member to be bent'adjacent'the outer periphery of a selected bending die, visemeans including a clamping head member reciprocably supported on the bendingsector assembly in laterally "spaced relationship from a side portion of the bending dies for urging "a member to be bent beneath the outer peripheryof' the selected die and laterally displacing dies extending radially beyond the selected die, a second vertically adjustable support including clamp means forengagment with ani'ntermediate'portion of the member to be bent, said second vertically adjustable support being reciprocably disposed on the base member for movement toward the bending-sector assembly whenthe same is rotated, and power means engaged with said bending-sector assembly for rotating the same about the support shaft and bending the'mernber about the outer periphery of a selected bendingdie, said power means comprising a gear sector on aperipheral edge portion of the bending-sector assembly, and a'reversible drive gear assembly engageabie with said gear sector.

3. Multiple-radius bending apparatusfor-elongated rodlike members'comprising'a base member, a "support frame extending vertically from said base member and including a support shaft extending transversely in overlying relationship over said base member, a bending-sector assembly journaled in radially extending relationship from said support shaft, said bending-sector assembly comprising a plurality of aligned arcuate segmental bending dies extending radially in concentric relationship from said support shaft, the outer peripheries of said bending dies defining the radius of curvature of plural bends to be formed, mounting means for the bending dies permitting lateral relative offset displacement between the dies for exposing the outer periphery of a predetermined bending die, a vertically adjustable support on one side of the bending-sector assembly including reciprocable clamp means for elevating a member to be bent adjacent the outer periphery of a selected bending die, vise means including a clamping hea-d member reciprocably supported on the bending-sector assembly in laterally spaced relationship from a side portion of the bending dies for urging a member to be bent beneath the outer periphery of the selected die and laterally displacing dies extending radially beyond the selected die, a second vertically adjustable support including clamp means for engagement with an intermediate portion of the member to be bent, said second vertically adjustable support being reciprocably disposed on the base member for movement toward the bending-sector assembly when the same is rotated, and power means engaged with said bending-sector assembly for rotating the same about the support shaft and bending the member about the outer periphery of a selected bending die, said vertically adjustable support and vise means on the bending-sector assembly including power means for operating the same.

4. Multiple-radius bending apparatus for elongated rodlike members comprising a base member, a support frame extending vertically from said base member and including a support shaft extending transversely in overlying relationship over said base member, a bending-sector assembly journaled in radially extending relationship from said support shaft, said bending-sector assembly comprising a plurality of aligned arcuate segmental bending dies extending radially in concentric relationship from said support shaft,

the outer peripheries of said bending dies defining the radius of curvature of plural bends to be formed, mounting means for the bending dies permitting lateral relative ofiset displacement between the dies for exposing the outer periphery of a predetermined bending die, a vertically adjustable support on one side of the bendingsector assembly including reciprocable clamp means for elevating a member to be bent adjacent the outer periphery of a selected bending die, vise means including a clamping head member reciprocably supported on the bending-sector assembly in laterally spaced relationship from a side portion of the bending dies for urging a member to be bent beneath the outer periphery of the selected die and laterally displacing dies extending radially beyond the selected die, a second vertically adjustable support including clamp means for engagement with an intermediate portion of the member to be bent, said second vertically adjustable support being reciprocably disposed on the base member for movement toward the bending-sector assembly when the same is rotated, and power means engaged with said bending-sector assembly for rotating the same about the support shaft and bending the member about the outer periphery of a selected bending die, said bending-sector assembly including a recessed sector portion containing the bending dies, resilient means operatively connected to said bending dies urging the same toward the vise clamping head member.

5. Multiple-radius bending apparatus for elongated rodlike members comprising a base member, a support frame extending vertically from said base member and including a support shaft extending transversely in overlying relationship over said base member, a bending-sector assembly journaled in radially extending relationship from said support shaft, said bending-sector assembly comprising a plurality of aligned arcuate segmental bending dies extending radially in concentric relationship from said support shaft, the outer peripheries of said bending dies de fining the radius of curvature of plural bends to be formed, mounting means for the bending dies permitting lateral relative offset displacement between the dies for exposing the outer periphery of a predetermined bending die, a vertically adjustable support on one side of the bending-sector assembly including reciprocable clamp means for elevating a member to be bent adjacent the outer periphery of a selected bending die, vise means including a clamping head member reciprocably supported on the bending-sector assembly in laterally spaced relationship from a side portion of the bending dies for urging a member to be bent beneath the outer periphery of the selected die and laterally displacing dies extending radially beyond the selected die, a second vertically adjustable support including clamp means for engagement with an intermediate portion of the member to be bent, said second vertically adjustable support being reciprocably disposed on the base member for movement toward the bending-sector assembly when the same is rotated, and power means engaged with said bending-sector assembly for rotating the same about the support shaft and bending the member about the outer periphery of a selected bending die, said support frame and support shaft incorporating therebetween gauge means for indicating the degree of angular bend formed by the bending apparatus.

No references cited. 

